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Cyber Security Threats

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Cyber Security Threats

As organisations continue to transform through digitisation, cyber security threats are becoming increasingly common and ever more sophisticated. Cybercriminals use various techniques to exploit vulnerabilities in our online systems and gain access to sensitive data. As internet users, it is essential to understand these threats and take measures to protect ourselves and our devices. This web page aims to educate and inform readers about the most common cyber security threats and provide practical tips and advice to stay safe online.

Understanding Cyber Security Threats:

It is crucial to understand the potential risks and impact of cyber security threats to take appropriate measures to protect ourselves. Cyber-attacks can lead to financial loss, identity theft, and reputational damage. Cybersecurity threats can affect anyone, regardless of age or background, and it is essential to be aware of the threats to stay safe online.

Guides To Cyber Security

Common Cyber Security Threats

  • Phishing
This is a type of social engineering attack where cybercriminals send fraudulent emails or messages to trick users into disclosing sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card details.
  • Ransomware
Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts files on a user’s device and demands payment in exchange for a decryption key.
  • Malware
Malware is a type of software that is designed to damage, disrupt, or gain unauthorised access to a computer system.
  • Social Engineering
Social engineering is a technique that cybercriminals use to manipulate individuals into divulging sensitive information.
  • Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs)
APTs are complex and targeted cyber-attacks that are often used by nation-states to gain unauthorised access to sensitive information.

Current and Emerging Cyber Threats

The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) publishes alerts and advisories on major threats to Australian organisations. Some of the most recent threats include the following:
  • Lockbit 3.0 - is the newest version of Lockbit ransomware first discovered in March 2022. It is used by cybercriminals to conduct ransomware attacks against multiple sectors and organisations worldwide, including Australia. Once gaining access to a victim’s environment, cybercriminals use this ransomware for similar purposes as other variants such as encrypting their data, and extorting a ransom to return access to the sensitive files. LockBit 3.0 is offered as a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS), enabling affiliates to utilise it as desired, provided a percentage of the illicitly gained profits are shared with the LockBit operators as commission.
  • Royal - Royal is a ransomware variant first observed in September 2022, used by cybercriminals to conduct ransomware attacks against multiple organisations. Once gaining access to a victim’s environment, cybercriminals use this ransomware for similar purposes to other variants such as encrypting their data, and extorting a ransom to return access to the sensitive files.
  • Gootkit Loader - The Australian Cyber Security Centre continues to observe instances of Gootkit JavaScript (JS) Loaders on multiple Australian networks in 2022. Open source reporting also indicates continued Gootkit activity. The ACSC has observed JavaScript samples that loaded follow-on malware by writing a program to the Windows registry, creating a scheduled task that will execute the program when the user next logs on, then deleted itself from the Downloads folder. This process allowed for follow-on malware to execute, such as Cobalt Strike.

Protecting Against Cyber Security Threats

Here are some practical tips and best practices to protect against cyber security threats

Use anti-virus software – Anti-virus software can detect and remove malware from your device.
Be cautious of unsolicited emails and messages – Do not open emails or messages from unknown senders or click on links or attachments in these messages.
Keep software and devices updated – Keep your operating system, software, and applications up to date with the latest security patches.
Back up important data – Regularly back up your important data to an external hard drive or cloud-based storage service.
Use strong and unique passwords – Use strong and unique passwords for all your accounts and avoid using the same password for multiple accounts.
Cyber security threats are a growing concern in today’s digital world, and it is essential to stay alert and aware of these threats. By following the practical tips and best practices provided on this web page, individuals and organisations can take steps to protect themselves against cyber security threats. Remember to always be cautious and proactive when it comes to online security. Stay safe online by reaching out to leading cybersecurity consultancies like Gridware for a vulnerability assessment, penetration testing or full cyber security strategy and audit. Initial consultations are no obligation and help determine the best path for your organisation to increasing your cyber resilience.

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FAQ

The most common cyber security threats include malware, phishing, ransomware, social engineering attacks, and Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs).
You can protect yourself from cyber attacks by keeping your software up to date, using strong passwords, using multi-factor authentication, being cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments, and using antivirus and firewall software.

Phishing is a type of cyber attack where a criminal poses as a trustworthy entity in order to steal sensitive information. You can recognise phishing by looking for red flags such as unsolicited emails, suspicious links or attachments, and requests for personal or financial information.

You can protect your computer from malware by using antivirus software, keeping your software up to date, being cautious when downloading files, and avoiding suspicious websites.
Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts your files and demands payment in exchange for the decryption key. You can protect against ransomware by keeping your software up to date, using antivirus software, being cautious when opening emails or attachments, and backing up your files regularly.
You can prevent social engineering attacks by being cautious of unsolicited phone calls or emails, not sharing personal or financial information, and being wary of requests that seem too good to be true.

An Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) is a sophisticated type of cyber attack where an attacker gains access to a network and remains undetected for an extended period of time. You can protect against APTs by using strong passwords, monitoring network traffic, and keeping your software up to date.

You can tell if a website or email is legitimate by looking for red flags such as spelling or grammar errors, suspicious URLs or email addresses, and requests for personal or financial information.
Some best practices for protecting against cyber security threats include using strong passwords, keeping your software up to date, backing up your files regularly, being cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments, and using antivirus and firewall software.
You can stay informed about the latest cyber security threats by following reputable news sources, subscribing to security newsletters, and attending security conferences or webinars. Subscribing to the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s (ACSC) cyber alerts or leading cyber security consultancies like Gridware, offer you the best insights, latest alerts and tactics to increase your cyber resilience.
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Guides To Cyber Security

About Author
Picture of Ahmed Khanji

Ahmed Khanji

Ahmed Khanji is the CEO of Gridware, a leading cybersecurity consultancy based in Sydney, Australia...

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Published May 25, 2023

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